Meeting a Need
Shelter construction is one of the main ways to ensure that highly vulnerable children are healthy, safe and protected. Compassion Uganda prioritizes interventions for shelter because it is a fundamental need for survival and having decent living space is a significant step in the journey out of extreme poverty.
The living conditions for three families prior to the interventions had become difficult and uncomfortable. One of the households was living in a dilapidated shelter, while two of the households were staying in temporary residences and struggling to pay rent. The intervention was very timely and much needed.
Building New Homes
To begin the intervention, the church put together a committee and held a number of planning meetings where they selected members to oversee the intervention. Overseeing the activity included sourcing materials from service providers.
The activity started with houses for Lawrence Kayizzi and Shafik Galiwango. The Church leadership agreed that service providers nearest to the construction sites would be considered for each house.
Three hardware shops were visited during the market survey period and four potential suppliers of sand and bricks were also visited for the purpose of comparing materials quality and prices before purchase. The Church leadership identified two builders who would complete the houses and signed labor contracts with them.
The third beneficiary, Abigail Namukwaya, relocated out of Mukono, therefore another beneficiary, Sandra Daphine Nanteza, was chosen after the church committee reviewed all households with dire need for shelter intervention.
The three families have now moved into their new homes. The houses constructed for Shafik and Lawrence have three rooms – one bedroom for the Caregiver, a sitting room, and a bedroom for the children. Sandra Daphine’s house, however, has five rooms – her father is a builder and when he got the opportunity for a new home, he requested to provide part of the labor and use funds meant for labor, to buy more materials and add on more rooms.
During implementation there were a number of challenges. One of the challenges was during submission of Kayizzi’s shelter plan for approval at the municipal council. The church was informed that the plot that was selected was in the road reserve and as a result the family had to look for another site for their new home.
The other challenge was that the plot that belonged to Sandra’s family was on a slope and required a lot more materials. Sandra’s father was committed to a safe structure and was able to plaster the inside and outside for more stability.
The proof of success is that three families have moved into their new homes and are now enjoying a safe and healthy living environment.
The Benefits of Your Gift
As a result of this intervention, the beneficiaries are better positioned to attain physical development due to reduced exposure to illness from hygiene related infections. The socio- emotional needs of the Children have also been addressed. Children whose homes are in a deplorable state are often labeled and scorned by their peers and relatives –Kayizzi was one of those affected by this. Through this intervention, the children now have a dignified dwelling and they do not have to be shy about their homes. Separate rooms for the children and the caregivers has allowed for more privacy.
As a result of the new shelter, Kayizzi has concentrated better and been performing better at school. Having a descent shelter has encouraged him to focus on his education. He is pursuing a diploma in Journalism at YMCA Wandegeya.
It is also reported that the health of Shafik’s mother has greatly improved as a result of this intervention. Her greatest worry of leaving her Children without a permanent home since she is often sick, has been addressed. She has been freed from stress and worry.
The secondary benefit of this intervention is that the community has appreciated the role the church is playing in the lives of children and their families. The church leadership worked to involve caregivers at every stage and this promoted ownership.
Setting up a decent shelter is one of the major aspirations of families living in poverty and when this is done, they regain their dignity and voice in their communities. Thank you for giving voices back to three families in need.
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